Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Report! (1/10/18)

Published

7 years ago

January 10, 2018

Steven Mitchell

All images courtesy of the WWE Network streaming service

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Shayna Baszler VS Dakota Kai; Shayna wins, via referee stoppage.
Kassius Ohno VS Raul Mendoza; Ohno wins.
Lars Sullivan VS Lio Rush; Sullivan wins.
NXT Tag Team Championship: The Undisputed Era VS SAnitY; canceled.
NXT Tag Team Championship: The Undisputed Era VS Roderick Strong & Aleister Black; The Undisputed Era wins and retains the NXT Tag Team Championships.

PLAY BY PLAY

“Welcome to 2018, boys and girls.”

The is the Year of the Undisputed Era. They closed 2017 “in style” by obtaining the NXT Tag Team Championships, but as far as Bobby Fish is concerned, they’re just getting started. The Undisputed Era will show the world why they’re the “baddest team on the planet.” The Era of the Undisputed shall dominate 2018, starting with tonight’s NXT Tag Team Championship rematch. Kyle O’Reilly promises SAnitY will be dealt with “once and for all.” As for “yours truly”, Adam Cole, he promises to end anyone who gets in the way of him become the NXT Champion. Ca the Undisputed Era solidify their legacy’s beginning here in NXT?

Shayna Baszler VS Dakota Kai!

The Queen of Spades and one-fourth of the MMA Four Horsewomen finally makes her in-ring debut in NXT! She’s already made an impact after she blindsided the woman who defeated her in the Mae Young Classic, Kairi Sane, and then went a little too far with Performance Center trainee, Jessie Jay. If that’s what she’s done before this in-ring debut, what will she do to her opponent here tonight?

Dakota Kai herself competed in the MYC, but didn’t get as far. Can the Captain of Team Kick avenge Jessie Jay while ruining Shayna’s debut?

The bell rings, the two circle, fans know “Shayna’s gonna kill~ you.” Shayna backs Dakota to a corner and doesn’t break until 4. Even when she does let Dakota go, Shayna trips her with a swift leg sweep. Dakota gets up and shoves Shayna, then gets around for a waistlock. The Submission Magician breaks free and uses a Japanese arm-drag to bring Dakota to the mat, then wrenches that arm in a modified hammerlock. Dakota resists but Shayna still wrenches that wrist and elbow around all sorts of ways. Shayna drags Dakota up, and serves that shoulder some Sole Food.

Dakota scrambles to ropes, but Shayna doesn’t care, she kicks Dakota right in the ribs. Shayna stalks Dakota, and stands on that bad hand to grind it into the mat. Then she stomps right on the elbow!

Dakota screams and writhes in pain, Shayna just grins. The referee keeps her back while he checks on Dakota. Fans boo and jeer, but Shayna embraces the heat as this match ends in a Referee Stoppage! Shayna raises her own hand in victory while the ref calls for medics.

And she’s not done with Dakota, either! She puts on the Kirafuda rear-naked choke just because!

Dakota fades into unconsciousness, and the referees cannot pry Shayna off her. Ember Moon appears to make the save!

Shayna lets go, laughing and grinning as she signals to Ember that she’s coming for the belt. Ember first checks on Dakota Kai, then turns her attention to Shayna. The referee manages to keep them apart, and Shayna is taking her leave anyway. If the Queen of Spades was this merciless in a debut, what will she do to become NXT Women’s Champion?

The Authors of Pain speak.

The AoP, “the most brutal force in NXT”, are coming for SAnitY and the Undisputed Era. It doesn’t matter who, where or when, whoever holds the NXT Tag Team Championships “will suffer”.

Backstage interview with Shayna Baszler.

It looks like Shayna broke Dakota’s arm, then continued to attack her after the match was stopped. Why? GM William Regal came in to change this from interview to a meeting with the boss. Shayna knows Regal’s resume, so he knows the game she’s playing. Ambushes, injuring other wrestlers, those tactics won’t get her a championship match. Is that all he has to say? Shayna leaves, will Regal’s message be ignored?

Kassius Ohno VS Raul Mendoza!

The Knockout Artist is looking for a way back to the NXT Championship picture, but the Cruiserweight Classic competitor is still looking for his breakout moment. Which man will get a step closer to what they want here tonight?

The fans are strongly behind Ohno as the bell rings. The two circle, and shake hands respectfully. They tie up, Mendoza gets behind with a waistlock to headlock, but Ohno just stands up tall to lift Mendoza off the ground. Mendoza brings Ohno back down so both men can touch the ground, but Ohno powers him back up. Mendoza sunset flips, TWO, Ohno gets the high stack but Mendoza rolls through to sit for a pin, but then Ohno counters that with a roll. ONE, Mendoza runs in but Ohno trips him up for another cover, ONE. Ohno throws Mendoza to a corner, Mendoza hops up and over to the apron. Mendoza shoulders into Ohno’s stomach, then climbs up top. Ohno yanks him down, but Mendoza makes that into a swinging headscissors!

Oklahoma roll, TWO! Mendoza goes after Ohno with kicks, but Ohno blocks one to flip Mendoza, then boots him right into another corner! Fans fire up as Ohno stalks Mendoza. He drags Mendoza up, and gives him a sharp chop in the corner. Fans want “One more time!” so Ohno gives Mendoza a stiff elbow strike. Cover, TWO, but Ohno is not frustrated. He toys with Mendoza, then drags him up into a Gory Special!

Mendoza endures the stretch, and pops out! Victory roll, TWO, and Ohno is right on Mendoza with a flipping knee smash. Back senton added on, cover, TWO. Ohno looks a bit annoyed, but the fans are cheering him on. He yanks Mendoza up but Mendoza lands on his feet to arm-drag Ohno away. Mendoza gives Ohno a big forearm, Ohno responds with a chop. Ohno whips Mendoza, Mendoza slips to the apron and kicks Ohno away. Springboard flying arm-drag! Mendoza gets running, springboard enziguri!

Cover, TWO! Mendoza is shocked by how close he got. The fans rally for Ohno, who pops Mendoza up onto his shoulders, for an electric chair hotshot and then a boot! Ohno gets running, and leaps for the High Tension elbow!

Ohno wins! Mendoza’s moment will have to wait. Can Ohno’s NXT Championship dream still come true?

NXT Paparazzi interviewed Zelina Vega.

Andrade Almas and Vega are “more on the same page now than we’ve ever been before.” He understands now that while it takes a lot of work to become champion, it also takes a lot of work to stay champion. Vega vows that Almas will stay champion through TakeOver: Philadelphia.

They ask Vega about Johnny Gargano earning the right to challenge Almas, what are her thoughts? “Earned”? Is that what he did? No, Gargano got lucky. He is no fighter, he is an opportunist. Gargano let three other men beat the hell out of each other and then took advantage. Does that sound like a champion? Almas has beaten Gargano twice already, Philadelphia will be no different. Plus, in DIY, it was his tag team partner who was successful, not Gargano. Just like Cinderella stories and fairy tales, “Johnny Wrestling” is not real. But the reality is Andrade “Cien” Almas.

As Vega said, Almas beat Gargano twice before, but what will it take to win this third time? Vega would not be this successful if she gave secrets away. She will never give away her secrets, but she promises Almas is more prepared than ever. Almas will make sure Gargano understands there is no getting around him. Vega is confident, Almas is confident, but can Gargano shock them both?

Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano.

How is the #1 contender feeling this close to his TakeOver NXT Championship match? Winning that right in a Fatal 4 Way, when no one thought he would, “words can’t describe”. However, the Velveteen Dream appears!

“Say it.” Say what? Say “thank you”, for not being in the NXT Championship Contender Series. Gargano got lucky by beating “a guy” named Kassius Ohno; and he says “guy” because Ohno does NOT look like a superstar. And then it took Gargano 20 minutes to do it? Velveteen could’ve put Ohno away 30 seconds tops. They all know it. Gargano was also lucky to have pinned Aleister Black, which shouldn’t have happened. They all know it. And Gargano won’t beat Almas for the title. They all know it. Oh, and Gargano didn’t earn Velveteen Dream’s spot. Velveteen deserves his spot. They all know it. Will these mind-games affect Gargano this close to TakeOver?

The Street Profits bring Street Talk backstage to NXT.

As great as they feel, both Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford feel they need to “step the gold game up.”

Speaking of gold, they can just go right into William Regal’s office. Wait, no, they can’t just barge in, they’re better than that. They must have manners. They knock on his door, enter inside, and say hello. The Profits compliment him on his suit, and politely decline water bottles. Dawkins & Ford have been thinking that, given how they promised to bring “the gold to the streets” in 2018, and given how they’re undefeated as a team… When are the Street Profits getting their shot? Regal tells them that yes, they are undefeated, and they do need to start 2018 with a bang. Next week on NXT, they will compete in an NXT Tag Team Championship #1 contender’s match. It will be The Street Profits VS… The Authors of Pain. The Street Profits like the sound of that. They fire up with Regal, and promise not to disappoint. “Street Talk: we out!”

Lars Sullivan VS Lio Rush!

The Man of the Hour is back on NXT TV, but does he have a chance against the Leviathan?

The bell rings, Lio barely avoids Lars rushing in. Lars swings but Lio dodges, Lio kicks but Lars blocks. Lio slaps Lars, then evades his wrath, a big grin on his face. They cat ‘n’ mouse, Lio hits Lars with a handspring heel kick! But, Lars doesn’t fall! Lio keeps going, Lars grabs him with one hand and yanks him against the ropes. Lars gets in the ring while Lio gasps for air. Lars whips Lio corner to corner HARD!

The Leviathan roars as Lio crumples to the floor. He rushes in, Lio manages to jump up and over! Fans rally for Lio but Lars is upon him, and barrels him into a corner. Lio dodges again, Lars goes into the post! Lio runs, but gets clobbered with a clothesline! Lars drags Lio up, for the Freak Accident!

Lars wins! Lio shouldn’t feel too bad for losing, no one has slowed the Leviathan down. Though, will Lio feel much of anything after such domination?

Lars Sullivan takes to the mic.

“I faced opponent after opponent, sometimes two at once, and they’ve all fallen by my hands.” Lars keeps thinking back to that Fatal 4 Way, when he “dealt with a force” he’d never felt before. And he liked it. “Because it’s a force that I want to destroy!” The Leviathan calls out Killian Dain! When behemoths collide, who will survive? Not Lio! Lars hauls his limp body up to the top rope, for a SUPER FREAK ACCIDENT!

Lars Sullivan’s love of destruction will not be satisfied until he faces the Beast of Belfast. Who will come out the superior monster in NXT?

BREAKING: A Backstage Brawl Between SAnitY & Undisputed Era!

Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish put out Eric Young using the walls and spare fencing, Adam Cole clobbers Dain with a lead pipe! Alexander Wolfe has also been decimated nearby. “We make the rules, you follow the rules!” With SAnitY out, is the NXT Tag Team Championship match canceled?

NXT Tag Team Championship: The Undisputed Era VS SAnitY!

After laying out their opponents, is there even a need for the duo known as reDRagon to come out here? O’Reilly, Fish and “Adam Cole, BAYBAY” took care of Young, Wolfe & Dain, there is no one to challenge for the NXT Tag Team Championships now. The UE take to the mic with mix reactions from the fans. “Hey, Champs, I kinda got a weird feeling that maybe we’re missing something right now.” Yeah, where is SAnitY? Bobby, weren’t they supposed to challenge for the titles? Maybe SAnitY forgot. No, they “kicked the chaos” out of them! And will do so to any team that thinks they– Speaking of chaos, Nikki Cross is rabid on the stage!

The UE taunt her and her fury as referees drag her away. Cole has a good laugh, even as Cross gets a second wind. The fans want her to get her hands on Cole and his team, but it doesn’t happen. “Now, before I was so rudely int”– another interruption from NXT GM, William Regal!

Regal will make Fish & O’Reilly defend those titles tonight. And Roderick Strong appears to add on. “I’ll fight these guys.”

In fact, Strong can go find a partner. He won’t have to, a partner finds him! It’s ALEISTER BLACK!

The Embodiment of the End has his own grudge against the Undisputed Era, and the fans are fired up to see him. Black volunteers to join the fight! He and Strong rush the ring, and brawl with reDRagon!

Strong gets O’Reilly out of the ring, Aleister kicks Fish out. The Undisputed Era regroups on the outside while this chaos calms down over a commercial break.

NXT Tag Team Championship: The Undisputed Era VS Roderick Strong & Aleister Black!

NXT returns and the bell rings, with O’Reilly and Aleister starting for their teams. The two circle, Fish tries to swipe at Aleister. Aleister scares him off, but is still able to thwart Kyle’s sneak attack. Aleister kicks Kyle towards his corner, but Fish comes in and takes a back elbow. O’Reilly tries to counter attack but Aleister unleashes a strike fest! Cover, ONE, Aleister is back on Kyle right away. Kyle gets out and regroups with Fish, Strong comes in to wreck Fish with a wrecking ball dropkick!

Strong then feeds Kyle back into the ring, Aleister sweeps the legs! Oklahoma Roll, TWO, but Aleister brings Kyle down with an arm-drag. He puts on an armbar, Kyle endures the wrench. Tag to Strong, Strong and Aleister double whip Kyle, Kyle runs into Strong’s calf kick! Cover, TWO, but Strong stays on Kyle. Fans cheer on Roddy as he whips Kyle into the corner and gives him a stiff chop. Strong lifts Kyle up, and gives him a pendulum backbreaker, TWO! Strong keeps on Kyle with a half-clutch stretch. Kyle crawls around and works his way to his feet. Strong gives him a knee, then tags Aleister back in. Aleister whips Kyle, Kyle grabs ropes then dumps Aleister to the apron. Aleister knocks Kyle away, but that gives Fish an opening to sweep the legs, and Aleister crashes onto the apron edge!

Fans boo while Aleister slumps to the floor. Strong protests but reDRagon is back in control as we go to break.

NXT returns again, and fans rally for Aleister while Fish tags in Kyle. Kyle unloads strikes on Aleister until the referee backs him off. Tag back to Fish, and reDRagon mugs Aleister in their corner. Tag back to Kyle, he sweeps the leg then puts on a leg lock. Fish tags in, to then slingshot senton in!

Cover, TWO! Fish keeps focus as he brings Aleister up and unloads body shots. Tag to Kyle, Aleister fights back. Kyle takes him down and unloads palm strikes. Fans boo and jeer while Kyle taunts Strong. Kyle brings Aleister up and puts him in the reDRagon corner. Tag to Fish, then a cheap shot to Strong, Kyle runs in for a forearm smash, Fish follows up for a knee smash, then Kyle comes back around for the running roundhouse. Kyle feeds Aleister to Fish, Fish gives Aleister an exploder! Cover, Strong breaks the pin. Strong coaches Aleister up and fans rally, but Fish puts Aleister in a chinlock. Aleister feeds off the fans’ energy, and fights out of the hold. Fish clubs him and whips him, but Aleister sunset flips over, TWO! They get to opposite ends, Fish walks over but Aleister gives him a knee strike right to the head. The fans rally again, Aleister and Fish crawl for their corners, hot tags to Kyle and Strong! Strong rallies, corner Shining Wizard for Fish and a flurry of strikes for Kyle! He whips and dropkicks Kyle, then fires up! Strong bumps Kyle off Fish, chops Kyle, repeat! Another whip, but Kyle reverses, only to end up in a half-nelson backbreaker!

Fish returns, Strong throws him overhead and onto Kyle!

Strong is all fired up, as are the fans! He runs in at Kyle, corner Shining Wizard and running slam! Fish breaks the cover, then knocks Aleister back off the apron. Strong throws Fish out, but Kyle gets him with a low kick. Kyle hits the Axe, but Strong hits the Smash with that knee strike! Both men down, the fans are fired up. Fish is furious, but then Aleister blasts him into the steel steps with a boot!

The Dutch Destroyer isn’t done there. He puts Fish in the ring, but then Cole appears and attacks Aleister!

However, Aleister stays standing. He scares Cole back with a glare, then pursues up into the bleachers.

Cole asks Aleister calm down, even as Cole backpedals and Aleister stomps his way up the steps. However, without someone watching Strong’s back, reDRagon hits TOTAL ELIMINATION!

The Undisputed Era win and retain! Fish & O’Reilly are ecstatic, Aleister is flabbergasted!

Aleister will not stand for this, he storms down back to the ring. He strikes Fish with a roundhouse and then clobbers Kyle with one. Cole returns to throw Aleister right into a post! Cole has reDRagon drag Aleister out and add on knees before Cole gives Aleister right hands. “You’ll never be us! You’ll never beat us!” He then backs up and gives a bicycle boot right to Aleister’s face! Then, Cole mocks Aleister by lifting him up with his foot, and feeds him to TOTAL ELIMINATION!

The fans boo and jeer the Undisputed Era, but they don’t care. Cole has Kyle prepare something even worse. Kyle goes out, and grabs a chair. Fish drags Aleister up while Cole takes that chair and sets it up. Fish feeds Aleister to Cole’s fireman’s carry, Ushigoroshi to the chair!

The referee calls in help while Cole asks Aleister, “Have we made it clear?!” The Undisputed Era stands over Aleister and poses with the belts.

Fans continue to boo and jeer as the Undisputed Era sees themselves out. However, William Regal meets them at the stage.

“Philadelphia has an extreme history.” Regal tells Adam Cole that he’ll be facing Aleister Black at TakeOver: Philadelphia, in an Extreme Rules match!! Cole glares at Regal, but then he backs off, and grins. He already gave Aleister a taste tonight, will he finish the Embodiment of the End in the City of Brotherly Love?

My Thoughts:

This was a great night, and almost a full hour! I was shocked to see Shayna win from referee stoppage, but that actually goes a long way towards her character. She could be like the Samoa Joe of the Women’s Division with her lack of remorse, and I kinda felt bad for Dakota Kai being her victim. Dakota already hasn’t been used all that much in NXT, and now she’ll be kayfabe injured and off TV again. As for Shayna, she is coming out as a front-runner for Ember Moon’s #1 contender, despite what Regal said. And if Ember VS Shayna happens, it will make complete sense if Shayna takes that title from Ember the first try. Ohno-Mendoza was a great, competitive match (though it was technically filler) and builds Mendoza up a bit in the mid-card. Both men are just waiting for something, I’d think Ohno will go to main roster finally via the Royal Rumble. Mendoza can then rise up in a story similar to Tye Dillinger or Johnny Gargano, winning over fans over time and being a workhorse to help elevate others.

It was great to see Lio Rush back on NXT TV, too bad for him it was against Lars Sullivan. Lars-Lio was still a great match, like a not-squash squash match. Lars calling out Big Damo is great, their match is going to be great, and the winner will look exponentially stronger for it. The NXT Tag Team Championship #1 contender’s match of AoP VS Street Profits is going to be fun, and both teams did great promo work tonight. While the AoP is heavily favored, I anticipate the Street Profits surprising us. This will, at the very least, give the AoP their way out onto the main roster. The Undisputed Era attacking SAnitY to weasel their way out of the title defense was a nice surprise, and then the last-minute slapdash team of Strong & Black was incredible. Of course, Undisputed Era was going to retain, they need to lose those belts to an established tag team, but it was a masterful way of building to it. Cole-Black in Extreme Rules is going to be insane, but I can’t see them using it as a way to end Aleister’s singles undefeated streak, that’d just be cheap. It will also be the first time Aleister gets extreme in WWE/NXT, I want to see what he’s capable of.

My Score: 8.5/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/15/25)

Who will Stand & Deliver?

Published

3 hours ago

April 15, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Time to defy the odds!

A tag team gauntlet and a Fatal 4 Way determine contenders that will challenge for NXT gold this Saturday at Stand & Deliver: Las Vegas!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page; wins and will challenge Ricky Saints for the title at Stand & Deliver.
NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: ???
NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet: ??? wins and will challenge Fraxiom for the titles at Stand & Deliver.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page!

The Absolute holds what many want, but only one gets their shot. Will the Alpha Wolf be one step closer to his “birthright?” Will the Drama King look to go for another crown? Will the Wes Side return to former glory? Or will it be All Ego that meets Saints in Sin City?

But speaking of Saints, Ricky makes his entrance after everyone else is already in the ring! The fans fire up as the champion decides to join commentary. The bell rings and Eddy kicks at Ethan but Ethan blocks, only for Lexis to DECK Ethan! Wes then rolls Eddy up, but Lexis shoves Wes away! Lexis basement SUPERKICKS Eddy! Wes and Lexis stare down, things speed up, and Lexis hurdles, but Wes leaps over. Wes dodges Lexis, but Lexis steps on Wes’s dropdown! The fans are torn, but Eddy is up. Lexis wants Eddy to calm down, but then Ethan is also up. Lexis tells them both to calm down, but now Wes is up.

Lexis finds himself surrounded, and Wes feeds Lexis to Eddy’s KICK, and Ethan’s HAYMAKER! Wes adds a HAYMAKER, then Eddy KIKS again! Ethan HAYMAKERS, Wes ENZIGIRIS, and Lexis wobbles. Eddy TOSSES Lexis, the fans fire up, but then Ethan DECKS Wes! Eddy ROCKS and KICKS, KICKS, and SOBATS on Ethan! Wes runs up, Eddy gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Wes tumbles to a corner, Eddy BOOTS Ethan! Eddy runs and BOOTS Wes! Lexis is back, but Eddy dodges to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, Ethan breaks it! Ethan ROCKS Eddy, but Wes ROCKS Ethan! Eddy spins Wes, but Wes BODY BLOWS!

Wes KICKS, KICKS, and ENZIGIRIS Eddy, to then DOUBLE STOMP him down! Wes runs to ELBOW Ethan in a corner, mule kick, and AX KICKS! Wes then runs at Lexis, but Lexis dodges! Lexis dodges Eddy so Eddy runs into Wes! Lexis dodges Ethan, Ethan runs into Wes & Eddy! Lexis then SUPERKICKS Ethan into them both! Lexis runs corner to corner, but everyone clears out! Lexis POSTS himself! Wes BOOTS Ethan, Eddy kicks Wes, then Eddy reels Wes in. Wes wrenches out, slips around, but Eddy elbows free. Eddy runs, Wes dodges, and Ethan holds the ropes down! Eddy tumbles up and out and to the floor!

Wes runs up, Ethan puts him on the apron, but Wes RAMS into Ethan! Eddy grabs at Wes, Wes kicks him away, but Ethan ROCKS Wes! Wes is stuck in the ropes, so Ethan hits a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wes survives, Ethan drags Wes up, but then he sees Lexis climbing a corner. Ethan pushes Wes aside to ROCK Lexis! Ethan then climbs up to join Lexis, reels him in, but they both fire body shots! Lexis CLUBS Ethan, Eddy UPPERCUTS Lexis! Eddy climbs up to work with Ethan, but then Wes throws hands on the legs! Wes gets under all of this, and the fans fire up for the TOWER OF DOOM!!

All four men are down while the fans cheer on “NXT! NXT!” for making this the opener! Lexis flops out of the ring, Ethan and Eddy flounder, but Wes runs, SHOOTING STAR on Ethan! Cover, Eddy breaks it! The fans fire up as Wes and Eddy stand to trade forearms! Wes fires a body shot then a forearm, but Eddy fires a forearm, an UPPERCUT, and a KICK! Eddy snarls, but Ethan waistlocks! Eddy fires elbows to get free, but Wes BOOTS Eddy! Ethan DUMPS Eddy out, Wes DECKS Ethan! Wes builds speed and he DIVES into Lexis! Ethan let Lexis take that shot while he grabs Eddy. Eddy blocks the apron bump to elbow Ethan!

Eddy runs up, Ethan dodges, and Eddy almost hits Ricky! Ricky says watch it, but then Ethan SHOVES Eddy into Ricky! The fans go nuts, Ricky is pissed, and he THROWS Eddy aside to get at Ethan! The ref tries to stop this, but Ricky is too heated, so the ref EJECTS Ricky from ringside! The fans boo but Ethan just mockingly waves bye-bye. Ricky warns Ethan, the fans chant, “Ref, You Suck!” but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Lexis ROCKS Wes. Lexis reels Wes in, but Ethan BOOTS Lexis down! Ethan then scoops Wes to SLAM him onto Lexis! Ethan then THROWS Lexis into Eddy! Ethan drags Lexis up, but Lexis slips free of the Canadian Rack! Lexis grabs the arms, crosses them, then reels Ethan in, but Ethan trips Lexis up! Ethan turns Lexis over, BOSTON CRAB! The fans are torn as Lexis endures, and Lexis claws at the mat! Lexis crawls forward, but Ethan drags him back from the ropes! Wes runs up, Ethan ducks the lariat, but then Eddy YANKS Wes outta the ring! Eddy clamps onto Lexis with a CROSSFACE!!

Lexis endures double submissions, but then Wes STOPS Lexis from tapping!! The fans are thunderous, but Eddy is furious! Eddy lets go of Lexis to STOMP Wes down! Eddy then BOOTS Ethan down! Eddy goes up a corner as the fans duel, and Lexis UPPERCUTS Eddy! Lexis climbs, fires forearms on Eddy, and Eddy falls to the apron! Ethan CLUBS Lexis! Ethan has an Electric Chair, then he has Eddy in a facelock! But Wes goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS onto a DOOMSDAY DDT COMBO!! The fans are going nuts all over again while all four men are down! But then Ethan crawls to cover Eddy while Wes crawls to cover Lexis! Double covers, TWO!!

The fans fire up while Wes and Ethan grow frustrated. They stare down, then they throw hands! Wes fires a flurry, but Ethan ROCKS Wes with one! Wes PELES in return! Wes hurries to go up a corner! But Lexis SHOVES him down! Wes hits apron, Lexis climbs, SWANTON BOMB on Ethan! But Eddy is up top! He MACHO ELBOWS the cover apart! Eddy then drags Lexis up, but Wes rises! METEORA for Eddy!! Cover, Lexis YANKS Wes up! CORONATION!! But Ethan has Lexis! TWISTED GRIN!! Cover, ETHAN WINS!

Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Championship)

Ethan smirks as he takes advantage of this golden opportunity. Ethan grabs a mic to say, “Well, I guess that makes me the man then, huh?” The fans are torn but Ethan says he is the #1 contender. Ethan knows he isn’t the guy Ricky wanted to win, and he has every right to believe that. Because everyone remembers their first. And the first championship in WWE for Ricky was ruined by Ethan Page! At Stand & Deliver, Ricky’s first title defense will also be ruined by- RICKY SPEARS ETHAN!! No more ringside ban, and the champ gets some payback! But will Las Vegas be absolute? Or will All Ego’s ego only expand exponentially this Saturday?

Jordynne Grace speaks.

“What you see today as The Juggernaut, multiple time TNA Knockouts Champion, this wasn’t how I started. I wasn’t scouted, I never had ‘star power,’ never really been a beauty queen. If it were possible to have negative aura, that is who I was. I was just a little girl wrestling in half-empty gyms, trying to find a place to fit in a world that didn’t seem built for me. I knew what people saw, or really rather what they didn’t see. But something I did have that not a lot of people in wrestling do, is self-awareness. So I finally stopped wishing that I had what I was supposed to have, and started building what I could become.

“I turned insecurity into intensity, doubt into discipline, and that was the day The Juggernaut was born. I fell in love with getting stronger. I became laser focused into building my body into an atomic bomb. Waking up at 3AM to train, jumping into a car to drive 8 hours to wrestle, hit another gym session after that, then sleep two hours and do it all over again the next day. And as hard as that was, I was obsessed with it. It was a way that I could stand out against all the other women. And to me, it was the only way. I wanted the WWE Universe to say, ‘Yeah, the WWE women are killing it, but have you seen Jordynne Grace over in TNA? That’s Jordynne Grace!?’

“I’ve put in the work so that no one could ignore me. I forced my way into the conversation and made people believe in The Juggernaut the way I believed in myself. Now, the biggest hurdle of my career is right in front of me this Saturday, when I have the opportunity to become NXT Women’s Champion. And just like I’ve been my entire career, I’m aware of exactly what I’m gonna have to do to leave Vegas with my first WWE championship.” Jordynne is ready, but will Grace survive in Sin City?

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/14/25)

Run-up to Mania starts now!

Published

1 day ago

April 14, 2025

Steven Mitchell

It’s a truly star-studded Raw!

Ahead of their WrestleMania 41 Night 1 Main Event, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, CM Punk & Paul Heyman are all here on Monday Night Raw!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; Bayley wins.
Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made; Rey wins.
AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Styles wins.
PENTA VS Finn Balor; Finn wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

Gunther is here!

Sacramento boos Der Ring General as he storms to the ring. Michael Cole was going to interview the World Heavyweight Champion later tonight, but it seems Gunther wants to get to it. Gunther and Cole meet in the ring, Cole says two weeks ago, he left Jimmy Uso bloodied in this ring. That caused Jey Uso to march out here last week- Gunther cuts Cole off to says that last week, Jey walked out here, looked Gunther in the eyes, and claimed he’s not afraid anymore. The fans boo as Gunther says this week, he is here to look us all in the eyes to tell us that Jey Uso is full of crap! Cole understands the fans are upset, but speaking of that, it seems Gunther is also upset.

We saw last year at WrestleMania, when… The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and Gunther says screw the questions! Screw Jey Uso! Screw everything Jey stands for! And screw everybody who stands with Jey! The fans boo more, and Gunther says ever since he stepped for in the WWE, he is the greatest gift this company has ever received! For 80% of his time in the WWE, he has been a champion! And now, he is the GREATEST World Heavyweight Champion of all time! The fans boo more, but Gunther says he refuses to let somebody like Jey Uso ruin that for him. The fans “YEET!” more and he says fine, do it as much as you want!

Gunther tells Jey to puff his chest out, walk into WrestleMania with the most confidence he’s ever had, because it won’t matter! In the end, the bell has to ring! And when that happens, Jey still can’t lace Gunther’s boots! Gunther will put Jey down for a FOURTRH time! These last two weeks, Gunther has been accused, told he went too far, that he lost control. Jey, trust one thing: In 37 years of LIFE, Gunther has never lost control! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Gunther says two weeks ago, when he took a bath in Jimmy’s blood, Gunther was in full control, and he LOVED it!

And Jey, go pray to the Lord, thank Him for how Gunther was in control, or else he would’ve drowned them both in Jimmy’s blood! Gunther looks forward to next week, calling his mother and telling her how much he enjoyed beating the living hell out of Jey, and is STILL World Heavyweight Champion! Gunther storms off, having done his part for tonight. Will nothing and no one stop Der Ring General from destroying Jey?

Bianca Belair speaks.

“I’ll be the first to admit that lately, I’ve been in my head. Everything that’s happened with Jade and Naomi, it really messed me up. And now, this whole situation with Iyo and Rhea has brought out a different version of me. But different isn’t wrong. My Road to WrestleMania has filled with nothing but blood, sweat and tears. Not no complaining, no whining, no excuses. No, just straight facts. I’ve been doing nothing but standing up for myself and speaking the truth, something that anybody would do. Something I would hope people are teaching their kids to do. And you don’t have to like the truth, but you can’t deny it.

“Just like I can’t deny now it’s a Triple Threat. Yeah, I’ve been through a lot. But I’m still the best. So I’ma use the bit of everything that I’ve been through to be the Bianca I know I can be. I’m the Bianca that won Elimination Chamber, I’m the Bianca that’s never been pinned at WrestleMania, and I’m the strongest, the fastest, the roughest, the toughest, the quickest, the greatest, the best Bianca that you have ever seen. So it doesn’t matter if it’s a Triple Threat, because there’s nothing that Rhea or Iyo can do to stop me from getting my flowers and walking out of WrestleMania as champion. Because you cannot spell WrestleMania without E S T.”

Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!

The Role Model and the Morrigan ran the table on Friday Night SmackDown’s tag team gauntlet, and now they’re going to WrestleMania! Will they have even more momentum going into that WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match? Or will the leading ladies of Judgment Day refuse to give up the spotlight even now?

Raw returns and Bayley has made her entrance, Lyra by her side. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and Bayley circles with Liv. They approach, and Liv SLAPS Bayley! Liv laughs, but Bayley smirks. Liv apologizes, then runs away! Bayley chases Liv around the outside, but then they slip into the ring. Liv stomps away on Bayley, the fans are torn but the ref counts. Liv stops at 4, and Liv bumps Bayley off buckles. Liv stomps a mudhole, but again stops at 4. Liv then stomps another mudhole in, and shouts, “OKAAAY~!” as she lets off. The fans are torn, Liv stands Bayley up, but Bayley fires forearms! The fans fire up, Liv swings, but into a fireman’s carry!

Liv fights free, ducks ‘n’ dodges Bayley, but Bayley hits a THESZ PRESS! The fans fire up and Bayley hits a NECK SNAPPER, then a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley stomps Liv around, glares at Raquel, but Liv kicks from below. Bayley rains down fists on Liv, the fans rally behind her, and Bayley whips. Liv reverses, then avoids the up ‘n’ over to DROPKICK Bayley! Liv runs corner to corner, and BACK BODY BLOCKS! Liv rolls, but Bayley follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up again and Bayley looms over Liv. Bayley glares at Raquel, then bumps Liv off buckles. Bayley ELBOWS Liv, then ELBOWS her again.

Bayley brings Liv around, the fans cheer her on as she bumps Liv off buckles. The fans duel, Bayley brings Liv in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Liv is tougher than that but Bayley stays on her. Bayley brings Liv over but Liv stops the buckle bump to give a buckle bump! Liv runs up, but Bayley ELBOWS her! Bayley goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then she gest around to SAIDO! Liv bails out, Raquel checks on her, but Bayley smiles. Bayley aims, builds speed, and DIVES, but into a forearm! Liv drags Bayley out to snap suplex to the floor! That’s just Una Amiga as Liv gets Bayley up again! Dos Amigas to the floor!

Liv drags Bayley up again, but Bayley stops that to wrench and KNEE low! Bayley RAMS Liv into steel steps! The fans fire up, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley hits steps, then Liv STMOPS Bayley’s hands! Liv drags Bayley up, THREE AMIGAS to the floor, from OFF the steps! Liv gives some Latina Heat while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Liv has Bayley in the ring. Liv grinds Bayley down with a chinlock but the fans rally up. Bayley fights to her feet, then JAWBREAKERS free! Liv staggers, comes back, but Bayley blocks to fire forearms! Bayley fires forearm after forearm, but Liv KICKS in return! Liv kicks again, but Bayley KNEES her down! Liv flounders, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley is sent into the buckles! The ref checks Bayley and she’s still in this, so Liv basement ENZIGIRIS! Cover, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Liv gives her cheap hammer fists. Bayley hits back but Liv stomps her down.

Liv goes up the corner, waits on Bayley to rise, and FLYING- NO, Bayley grabs Liv’s legs! Liv fights the turnover, pops Bayley into the sunset flip, TWO! Bayley runs up, Liv ducks the knee to roll her up, TWO! KNEE!! Liv flounders around again, Bayley runs in, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! The fans fire up as Bayley drags Liv to a cover, TWO! Liv stays in this but Lyra coaches Bayley. Raquel coaches Liv while Liv crawls away. The fans duel and Liv stands. Bayley grabs a leg but Liv kicks at her! Liv BOOTS Bayley away, but Bayley comes back and slides out! But Liv gets her for a CODE BREAKER! Bayley flops down, and Liv snarls as she rises up.

Liv aims and MISSILE DROPKICKS to the floor! A little double-edged given that landing, but Liv hurries to get Bayley up and into the ring. Liv crawls to the cover, TWO! Bayley survives and Lyra is relieved. Liv snarls again and waits on Bayley. Bayley goes to the ropes, Liv runs up, OBLIV- NO, Bayley puts her on the apron! Bayley ROCKS Liv, has her in the ropes, but Liv denies the hotshot! GAMANGIRI! Liv storms in, gets moving, she goes up, up, and FLYING- STUNNER! Bayley turns things around on Liv, and hits a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Bayley crawls to the cover, Raquel gives Liv the ROPEBREAK!

The fans boo, they all saw Raquel do it! Lyra goes after Raquel, Raquel fights her off and BOOTS her down! The fans boo, but Bayley DECKS Raquel, and hits the HOTSHOT in the ropes! The fans fire up but Liv hits Bayley with a BACKSTABBER!! And then OBLIV- NO, Lyra anchors Bayley’s feet! Bayley jackknife bridges, AND WINS!

Winner: Bayley, by pinfall

A huge bit of teamwork leads to a huge win over one-half of the tag champions! Liv is livid, will she and Raquel get their revenge at WrestleMania?

Paul Heyman waits backstage.

And like usual, he’s waiting on The Tribal Chief. Will Roman Reigns even bother with The Wise Man knowing he’ll be in CM Punk’s corner at WrestleMania?

Rhea Ripley speaks.

“Bianca, I can see right through you. You said you were just out there to watch, and then you said you were just out there to call it down the middle. But I can see your true intentions now: You thrive on playing with my emotions, winding me up like I’m some sort of toy to you so you can get what you want and make it seem like I’m the bad guy. The thing that you failed to understand is that when I lose something that I love, I wills top at nothing to get it back. And Iyo, I never had to give you a championship match. But watching you pout and moan, it really pulled on the heartstrings that I had left. So I pulled a page out of your book, and I got what I wanted, too.

“So Iyo, I advise you to cherish every single moment you have with the Women’s World Championship. And Bianca, I can’t wait to make you feel what it’s like when I’m the bad guy. Because at WrestleMania 41, I get back what belongs to me.”

Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made!

Before going up against the supposed greatest luchador of a generation, El Grande Americano, the King of Lucha will take on one of the Creed Brothers. But is this going to be far more than just a tune-up? Or will Rey speed-dial the 619 here in Sacramento?

Raw returns and American Made has made their entrance. The bell rings, Rey and Julius circle, then Rey waistlocks. Julius backs Rey into a corner, the ref counts, and Rey lets go. Julius elbows Rey down! The fans boo but Julius pushes Rey around. Julius wrenches Rey, wristlocks, but Rey endures. Julius uses a straight arm lever to lift Rey! Then he drops Rey, grinds the arm down, but Rey fires forearms! Rey uses the ropes to flip through, then he KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Julius wrenches, hammerlocks, but Rey reaches back! Rey jumps up, FLYING-MARE! Julius runs back up to CLOBBER Rey!

Julius talks trash, American Made soaks up the heat, and Julius whips Rey. Rey reverses, then blows past to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! The fans fire up as Julius tumbles to a corner! Rey fires up, but Julius comes back to CLOBBER him again! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey but Julius clamps on a chinlock. Rey endures, the fans rally up more, and Rey fights up. Rey throws body shots, runs, but Julius kitchen sink knees him down! Julius stands Rey up, whisp him to ropes, but Rey KICKS back! Rey dropkicks the legs and Julius ends up on ropes! Rey dials it up, but Julius dumps Rey out! Rey RAMS into Julius, ROCKS him, then climbs up!

The fans fire up, but Brutus distracts the ref! This lets Gable trip Rey up! The fans boo but Julius is right up top! So now Wilde distracts, and that lets Dragon Lee trip Julius! Turnabout is fair play, but now both teams are protesting! So the ref EJECTS everybody! Things will truly be 1v1, after the break!

Raw returns again and Julius has a neck wrench on Rey. Julius whips Rey hard to a corner, runs up, but Rey ELBOWS him! And BOOTS him! Rey goes up, up, but Julius Electric Chair Lifts! Rey fires hands, then spins to MYSTERIO RANA! Both men fall out of the ring pretty hard, but Rey gets back inside! Rey WRECKS Julius with a dropkick, the fans fire up, and Rey builds speed to SLIDING- NO, Julius stuffs Rey into a deadlift suplex! Julius marches with Rey, and then goes up the steel steps! Julius has Rey at the ropes, but Rey fights free! Julius BOOTS Rey back! Julius runs up, Rey moves, Julius POSTS himself!

The fans fire up while Julius flops into the ring. Rey hurries back up, climbs the corner, and FLYING RANAS! Julius ends up in a corner, Julius climbs up again, and he rains down fists! The fans count all the way to TEN! Rey fires up, the fans are with him, and Rey whips Julius corner to corner. Julius springs right up, goes over, but then Rey QUEBRADAS! But Julius catches him! Rey swings through to DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Rey rises, and he brings Julius around. Julius blocks the whip, shakes his head, and he whips Rey. Rey slides under, comes back, but Julius KNEES Rey down!

Julius brings down the straps, runs up, but Rey DUMPS Julius out tot he floor! Wait, El Grande Americano is here! Rey runs up, grabs him by his mask, but then Julius rolls Rey up! TWO!! Julius gets up, swings, but Rey shoves Julius into El Grande! Rey dropkicks Julius onto the ropes! Dial it up, 619!! Slingshot, DROP THE DIME! Cover, Rey wins!

Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall

But then El Grande CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, the LWO returns, but Julius holds them off! Grande CLOBBERS Cruz, but Dragon Lee fires off forearms! Dragon Lee whips, but Grande FLYING HEADBUTTS! The fans boo, but now Grande goes up top! DIVING HEADBUTT onto Rey! “UH GRACIAS~!” That mask is definitely loaded like last week, but will Rey be able to overcome that tactic and win for the honor of true lucha libre?

The War Raiders speak.

Ivar says, “Xavier, Kofi, you run your mouths about how the New Day is the greatest tag team of all time.” Erik says, “The fact of the matter is, the War Raiders have blazed a path of world domination for more than a decade. We’ve won gold on multiple continents.” “And last week, we had you beat, dead to rights.” The New Day took the cowardly way out because they knew they couldn’t beat the Raiders. The New Day says this is about the titles, but it has gotten much more personal. Kofi & Woods took this to a whole new level. They didn’t come for these titles, they came for Erik’s neck! They tried to put Erik on the shelf! They tried to end his career!

So at WrestleMania, this won’t be a match! It’ll barely be a fight! This is WAR!

The New Day is backstage.

They’re busy playing the Clash of Clans WWE crossover game, not that they’re in it. But Jackie Redmond walks over to talk with them. The New Day says that is rude, they’re busy playing a game. This lack of respect is audacious. Jackie does apologize, but she brings up the War Raiders saying that this match at Mania is now a war. War? New Day’s been in war from how they’ve been treated this whole time! The whole time! But the warpath stops when they take back what belongs to them, and that’s their WWE World Tag Team Championships! The entire world will see that ya bois, the NEW DAY~, are the best team on the face of Planet Earth!

Last week was just a taste of what they’re willing to do to get those titles back. And after Mania, Erik will wish they took his head off so that he and Ivar wouldn’t have to catch the beating they’re getting this weekend. At WrestleMania, every irrelevant and immature member of the WWE Universe will have no choice but to drop to their knees and THANK GOD for the New Day! Woods & Kofi head out, but will they survive this WrestleMania weekend?

AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!

Before taking on The Maverick, Logan Paul, at WrestleMania, the Phenomenal One is going to prove to Mr. & Mrs. Doomsday that this AJ Styles IS the AJ Styles that can get the job done! Does that mean Raw is going to be Too Sweet? Or will Kross be disappointed?

Raw returns as Kross makes his entrance, his femme fatale by his side. Kross is really taking this mirroring stuff to another level, wearing tights very similar to what Styles would wear. Kross still wants Styles to understand, Styles has to be like the Styles of the past in order to finally humble Logan Paul and save professional wrestling. Styles gets mad, but Kross shoves him! Styles RAMS Kross into the corner, RAMS him again and again, but lets off as the ref counts. Styles storms back up, whips corner to corner, but Kross reverses. Kross runs up, but Styles BOOTS him away. Kross comes back to BOOT Styles down!

The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles around. Kross talks trash, but Styles KICKS Kross! And CHOPS! Kross YANKS Styles into ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Kross says it doesn’t have to be this way, but he lets off as the ref pulls him back. Scarlett CLAWS at Styles’ face in the distraction! The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles. Kross drags Styles up, but Styles JAWBREAKERS back! Styles runs up, but into a SAIDO! The fans boo, Kross stalks Styles to a corner, then he stomps away. Kross whips corner to corner hard, and Styles clutches his ribs as he falls. Kross laughs at Styles’ pain, then stomps him more.

Kross drags Styles up, but Styles DRPOKICKS Kross down! The fans cheer, Kross bails out, and Styles slides to DROPKICK! Kross hits barriers, then Styles PLANCHAS! Kross moves, Styles lands safe on the apron, but Kross sweeps the legs! Kross then whips Styles hard into barriers! Styles almost falls onto that guy cosplaying the Prime bottle. Kross whips Styles hard into more barriers, and Styles falls into the timekeeper’s area! Scarlett kisses Kross’ hand while he soaks up heat, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns Kross has a chinlock. Styles fights up, fires body shots, but Kross KNEES low! Kross scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Kross scoops again, but Styles slips free! Styles goes for a leg but Kross stifles that and shoves Styles to a cover, TWO! Kross drags Styles up, reels him in, but Styles fights the bomb! Kross stops the rana, fireman’s carries, FINAL PRAYER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives but Kross asks if Styles is sandbagging. Kross looms over Styles, the fans rally up, and Kross smirks as Styles rises. Kross swings, but Styles counter punches! And counter punches! And CHOPS, CHOPS, KICKS!

Styles KICKS Kross again, then whips. Kross hobbles then falls over, clutching his knee! The fans boo, thinking this is an act. Scarlett checks Kross as he clutches the ankle. Styles asks the ref about this, but then Kross sucker punches Styles! It WAS an act, and the fans boo that Kross got away with it! Kross shimmies and shuffles, then taunts Styles. Styles runs up to CLOBBER Kross! Styles fires off the PHENOMENAL BLITZ! SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up, Styles runs in at the corner to LARIAT Kross! Fireman’s carry, but Kross slips free! Kick and DDT! Kross vows to end it, and the fans boo as Kross throws off his elbow pad.

Styles rises as Kross winds the hands of time. KROSS- NO, Styles ducks the hammer and fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Kross hobbles, Styles runs up, but Kross puts him on the apron! Styles HOTSHOTS Kross, then DECKS him! The fans fire up, Kross rises, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall

Kross put Styles to the test, and that was definitely Styles acing that test! But then Logan Paul appears! Sacramento boos Logan as he walks out with mic in hand. Logan asks what’s up with the hostility. Chill, he’s here to congratulate Styles. No, seriously, good win! He did it! In front of Sacramento, “a bunch of people who weren’t cool enough to live in Los Angeles, or work smart enough to live in San Francisco.” But Styles showed these “generic California losers” why Styles VS Logan is gonna cook! But hey, why not show them why it’ll make money? Here is what Styles is up against. Please enjoy this piece of cinema.

Logan has his own hype video package, “I accomplish more in one weekend than you all will in your entire lives. I didn’t join the WWE to take part, I joined to take over.” Styles grabs a mic to say that’s a cute video, smartass. But let’s start Mania earlier! Get your ass to the ring right now! The fans fire up for that! Logan says okay, and he steps closer. But Kross runs up on Styles! Styles ROCKS Kross, ROCKS Logan, repeat! Styles DECKS Logan, ROCKS him again, btu Kross scoops! Styles slips free, REVERSE DDT! Styles snarls at Kross, but Logan is up! ONE LUCKY RIGHT!! Then the PAUL-VERIZER!! The Maverick is feeling so “humble,” but will he be humbled at Mania?

Paul Heyman is still waiting…

Will he be waiting all night at this rate?

Jey Uso is here!

The fans fire up as Main Event Jey pops right through the curtain to walk down the bleachers. Sacramento bounces for him and they “YEET!” along with the song, but Jey is once again very serious. Jey goes to the ground level, but then stands on the desk for everyone to see him. Jey grabs the mic while the bouncing continues, and the fans cheer as the song dies down. Jey takes a breath, fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and chant “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey says okay, and the song starts up again! The bouncing starts up again, and then Jey paces as he waits for the music to die down.

“Aight, check it. I said what I had to say to Gunther last week.” “YEET!” “But I really wanted to come out here and holler at y’all.” “YEET!” Jey says what up, Sac Town! Mama out here somewhere in the crowd. But everyone keeps on asking Jey, “Jey, where your mind at?” Is he crashing out? HELL YEAH he’s crashing out! But he’s locked in! Locked in for him! For his family! And for y’all! Check it out, though. Listen to Gunther out here talking. Y’know what that made Jey feel like? He mad. Nah nah nah… Gunther’s afraid! Yeah, Gunther’s afraid! Afraid that Jey will whoop that ass in front of 60 THOUSAND and the world! See you Saturday, Uce!

Jey says one time for the one time… Hey, Uce, please, PLEASE hit his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up as the bouncing starts up yet again! Jey has all the confidence, all the fire, all the momentum. But will he have it all when it’s all said and done in Las Vegas?

Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.

Cathy Kelley is with the Badass WWE Intercontinental Champion and brings up this Sunday, the Fatal 4 Way that stacks the odds against him. How is he handling what could be the biggest defense of his career? Bron says obviously, this is the biggest match of his career. And- JUDGMENT DAY ATTACKS! Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio & Carlito mug Bron! They stomp him around, then THROW him onto a road case! They still rain down fists, and Finn says the dog’s bark is worse than his bite! They CHUCK Bron into more road cases! Adam Pearce and producers storm in and stop The Judgment Day, but will Bron be alright in just 6 days?

As for Finn, he has a match to get to! Will The Prince be ready for #CeroMiedo?

PENTA VS Finn Balor!

Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance, only for Penta to DROPKICK him off the apron! Penta then FLIES and takes Finn down! Penta strikes first since Finn did that to Bron, and the fans love it! Penta puts Finn in the ring, then storms in after him. The bell rings, the fans fire up as Penta runs up, but Finn puts him on the apron. Penta GAMANGIRIS, then goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Finn kicks Penta low, then brings Penta around. Penta WRINGS free, then traps that arm! But Finn trips Penta! Penta BOOTS Finn away, then pump handles! Finn pops free, dragon sleepers, but Penta drops to KICK from below!

Penta runs up to ENZIGIRI in the corner, then he headstands and SWINGING DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Finn stays in this, the fans cheer for “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta nods and storms up on Finn to KICK the leg out! Finn flounders, stands back up, but Penta KICKS the leg again! Penta stalks Finn, and KICKS Finn’s leg out again! The fans fire up while Finn flounders around more. Penta has Finn on the ropes, hushes the fans, and he CHOPS! Finn is stinging as he staggers away, and the fans fire up as they want even more of that! Penta whips, Finn reverses, but Penta sunset flips. Finn rolls through to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

Finn keeps Penta down with an ELBOW, then a chinlock. Finn grinds Penta down, Penta endures, and the fans rally. Penta fights up, but Finn yanks the mask! Finn has Penta down, and he soaks up the heat. Finn drags Penta, then jumps stomps! Finn soaks up more heat, jump stomps again, then argues with the ref. Finn taunts Sacramento, stomps Penta again and again and again! The ref counts, Finn stops, but he soaks up more heat. Finn goes back to Penta and says “Just Too Sweet!” They go to the apron, and Penta scoops! Finn slips free, and APRON EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Both men are down on the outside while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn has Penta up top! And then the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Penta stays in this and the fans fire up! Finn grows frustrated, but he clamps onto an arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! The fans rally up, Penta fights to his feet, and Penta fires hands. Penta arm-drags free, then ducks ‘n ‘dodges, for a RANA! Finn flounders up, Penta LARIATS! And LARIATS! The fans fire up again as Penta then SUPERKICKS Finn! Finn wobbles, Penta whips, but Finn reverses, only for Penta to go up and over! BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Finn survives and Penta is frustrated, but the fans fire back up.

Penta stalks Finn, the fans sing, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~! CERO~! MIEDO~!” Penta has Finn in the corner, he puts Finn up top, and then he CHOPS! Penta calls his shot and the fans cheer that. Penta climbs up and he goes to the very top! But Finn fires body shots! Penta hops down to the apron and CHOPS again! Then he jumps up to FLYING RANA! Finn staggers back up, Penta BOOTS him! Penta then runs to SLING-DOG! Penta keeps moving, but Finn SLINGBLADES! The fans rally, both men stand, and Finn aims from a corner! SHOT- NO, scoop and BACKBREAKER! Penta has the arm, traps it, and then pulls on the other! “CERO! MIEDO!” SACRIFICE!!

The fans fire up while Finn writhes! Penta stalks Finn, clamps onto him again, “This is Awesome!” as the PENTA- NO, Finn victory rolls the driver! TWO!! DOUBLE LARITS collide! Penta fires body shots, a SOBAT, a KICK, then a SUPERKICK! Finn flops down, but Penta goes to a corner. But then Carlito & Dom rush out here! Penta glares at them, they back off, but Finn rolls Penta up! TWO!! Penta escapes, Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, SHOTGUN! Penta hits buckles, then ends up in the drop zone, but HERE COMES BRON! You can’t keep a good dog down! Carlito fears for his life after last week…!

Carlito runs away, so Bron runs in and CLOBBERS Finn!! But that lets Finn win!

Winner: Finn Balor, by disqualification

Bron keeps beating up on Finn, so Dom runs in and TACKLES Bron! Carlito joins in now that they have the advantage! They mug Bron 2v1, but Bron fights back! Bron dodges, and he DOUBLE SPEARS!! Sacramento barks for Bron as he aims at Penta! Bron roars, runs up, but Penta KICKS first! And mule kicks! And SUPERKICKS! And then tilt-o-whirl RANA! Bron tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up! Penta builds speed to go up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODY! Penta wipes out Bron, Dom & Carlito, but where’d Finn go? Finn is already up the ramp! The Prince got handed the win tonight, but will Penta take it all with his #CeroMiedo?

Iyo Sky speaks.

“This message is for Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. You keep forgetting that I’M the Women’s World Champion. You push me out of the way of your petty squabbles like I mean nothing. But I’m the whole reason you’re fighting in the first place, aren’t I? Because I have the one thing you both want: The Women’s World Championship! So, I’m done being ignored. I’m done being forgotten. Because you have to go through ME to get this title, and I’m not afraid to take you both on to defend it. I’ve beaten both of you before, and I’ll beat you again! At WrestleMania, you will never forget the name Iyo Sky, Women’s World Champion.”

Paul Heyman is still waiting, but CM Punk joins him!

Punk sits down with a coffee and says he’s never seen The Wise Man so stressed. Look in his eyes, what do you see? The Cult of Personality? No, a real friend. A friend who would never do anything to put Heyman in harm’s way. But then a car is pulling up. It’s ROMAN! Roman sees Punk and Heyman being buddy-buddy, and he storms off! Heyman tries to catch up to his Tribal Chief, but Roman won’t even look at him. Will this favor cause the break-up of Roman and Heyman?

Roman goes to the ring!

The fans cheer and put the ones up as The OTC makes his entrance, Wise Man trailing behind. What will happen with Roman, Heyman, Punk, and Seth Rollins, all in the building this close to WrestleMania? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns rather quickly, and Roman is now in the ring. He raises his finger up for the pyro and the fans cheer. Heyman has the mic while the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Heyman tentatively holds it out for Roman, but Roman doesn’t take it! Roman gets a mic for himself, leaving Heyman a bit dismayed, but the cheering continues. Roman tells, “Sacramento…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer and put up the ones as they cheer on “O T C! O T C!” Roman says, “The whole world can feel that. The whole world can hear that you love and acknowledge your Tribal Chief. And now the whole world understands that you would never betray your Tribal Chief.

“But not everybody’s like you. Some people would betray me. Sacramento, you got any guesses on who that might be?” Obviously it’s Heyman that Roman is referring to, but Roman asks The Wise Man, “How could you betray me?” The fans tell Heyman he messed up. Roman says Heyman can’t hear that well, say it louder. The fans get louder with it, and Heyman is a bit surly about that. Heyman goes to talk, but he reconsiders. Roman still asks him why, and Heyman is at a loss for words. The fans boo, but some do chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Roman smirks as Heyman finally says, “My Tribal Chief… It was not a betrayal. I paid back a favor that I owed.”

Roman doesn’t seem to like that answer, but he still smirks. Sacramento, maybe Roman’s a little confused here, but the way favors work is, you usually pay it back yourself, correct? The fans say yes. Roman says it feels the only one getting screwed here is him! And if there’s one thing about Roman Reigns, if there’s one thing about The Tribal Chief, it’s that he’d never ask for a favor. No, Roman takes what he wants! So Roman doesn’t owe a favor, because he never asked for any help, for anyone to join him at WarGames, so how is he supposed to cover the tab for Heyman’s dumbass favor? But now, “BURN IT DOWN!”

Seth Rollins makes his way out, and Roman is no longer in any good mood as the fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in a leather vest and black pants that both have a lot of pockets. Rollins steps into the ring, grabs himself a mic, and the fans continue to sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins tells Sacramento, “Let’s give it up for Your Tribal Chief! Because after over a decade, you’re finally getting it, man! You’re finally putting the pieces together all by yourself! You’re almost there, you’re just missing one little piece, and it’s a real shame it’s too little, it’s too late, cuz I still gotta end you at WrestleMania.”

Rollins says it is for the same reason that it always has been: It’s the right thing to do! This Triple Threat at WrestleMania is the BIGGEST, most IMPORTANT one in the history of Mania, of the WWE, of professional wrestling! Because the winner of this match will define the future of this industry. And it can’t be Roman, it can’t be Punk. Because this business is filled with people like Roman, people who show up when it is convenient, expecting everyone else to do all the work. That’s how this business dies! Roman finally sees it can’t be Punk, either.

This business is filled with too many “little Punks” running around who wanna pick up their ball and go home when it gets tough, only to come back and leech off the profits of other people’s success, and that’s how this business dies! The fans chant for Punk but Rollins says okay, they want this business to die? Rollins doesn’t! If there are more people in this business like Rollins, who always sacrifices physical and mental well-being to do what is best for business, then the business not only lives, but it thrives! There can be only one, and it’s gotta be Rollins.

As for that one little piece that Roman hasn’t quite figured out… “Favors don’t happen by chance, Roman. Favors are a choice. I chose not to put Paul Heyman in the hospital last week, and now Paul Heyman can choose whether or not he pays that debt to me. But your Wise Man, he is dishonorable as they come, he is a scumbag, and I expect nothing from him.” The fans boo and Heyman frowns, but Rollins says Heyman is not in CM Punk’s corner by chance. Heyman has made a choice. It isn’t just a betrayal, Roman. What Roman needs to ask himself, what that final piece is, Heyman isn’t just returning a favor, he’s choosing. So why is Heyman choosing Punk over Roman?

Heyman tells Roman he’s not doing that, but Roman seems to be thinking Rollins has a point. Roman tells The Wise Man that Rollins is right, Heyman made his choice. But Roman has made his. LARIAT FOR ROLLINS! The fans fire up as Roman then POSTS Rollins! Rollins flops out of the ring, Heyman is very pleased, and he says he acknowledges his Tribal Chief! Roman nods, but then he PIE FACES Heyman!? Heyman is stunned, but here comes CM Punk! The fans fire up as Punk runs down to the ring, and he dodges Roman to fire hands! The fans fire up as they brawl, and then Punk LARIATS Roman up and out!

The fans are torn as Punk helps Heyman up. Heyman is distraught, but Roman is back! SPEAR for Punk!! Roman HAMMERS away on Punk! Roman shouts at Punk, HEADBUTTS him, but then Rollins returns! And with a chair! SMACK to the back of Roman Reigns, just like the night it all started! Sacramento is all fired up, and Rollins hits a CURB STOMP on Punk! And then CURB STOMP on Roman! Heyman is freaking out as both his guys are down! Rollins stares Heyman down, is Rollins’ favor going to come into play after all?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw, especially for the go-home to WrestleMania. Great promo from Gunther with how he “doesn’t wait” for the proper interview with Michael Cole, and very good response promo from Jey. Gunther definitely sounds a bit on edge, and considering he might lose two WrestleManias in a row as the start of his WrestleMania career, I suppose I would be, too. And very good promos from Bianca, Rhea & Iyo to hype up their match, though I can’t say that changes anything for the go-home math. Iyo stood tall last time, so there’s a chance Rhea or Bianca take the other out to get the win. Rhea and Bianca talking about who’s the bad guy in this, could we see Bianca go Heel?

Good promo from War Raiders and New Day, but unless they add a stipulation, I don’t necessarily see this being “a war” of a match. Well, maybe they can break something like ringside barriers. But I feel like New Day is going to win so that this Heel turn has actual results. Very good match from Bayley VS Liv, but Bayley winning here surely indicates Liv & Raquel retain. Rey VS Julius was really good, but the LWO and American Made all being ejected, that of course meant El Grande Americano would show up. Rey wins here, but then El Grande stands tall, so I would think Rey wins at Mania to expose Grande as Gable.

Very good match from Styles VS Kross, and naturally Styles won. That along with Logan & Kross getting the better of Styles after, this has to mean Styles wins at Mania. I don’t think it’s possible to get anything Bullet Club related, but WWE works with TNA pretty closely now so maybe they can use one of Styles’ themes from TNA to really bring us back to “the Styles that can beat Logan Paul.” Very good stuff with the Men’s Intercontinental Championship build, with Bron being jumped by Judgment Day, then Judgment Day trying to cost Penta, only for Bron to actually cost Penta and give Finn the win. Penta standing tall now sadly might cross him off, but I personally do think Dom pinning Finn or Finn pinning Dom is the better route going forward.

And of course, great stuff with the Punk-Rollins-Reigns story. Heyman finding himself stuck between Roman and Punk, with Roman starting to distance himself from Heyman, that’s also very good stuff going forward. Rollins stands tall again, so not sure if that means he takes the loss or is just not in the decision. No matter who wins, Heyman no longer being Roman’s manager is the best move. Roman needs to do things on his own again, and Heyman can reunite with Punk and perhaps help Punk towards a title. Punk did say that he’d be coming for THE WWE Championship at some point, Heyman by his side for that like 10 years ago would be something.